Socket retainer clip for light fixtures



E. B. PASCUCCI SOCKET RETAINER CLIP FOR LIGHT FIXTURES Filed June 20,1962 March 30, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Epwesr PflSCl/ March 30,1965 E. B. PASCUCCI SOCKET RETAINER CLIP FOR LIGHT FIXTURES 2Sheets-Sheet 2 m m m Connecticut Filed June Ztt, 1962, Ser. No. 203,8974 Claims. (Cl. 339-128) This invention relates to lamp sockets and morespecifically concerns a new and improved retainer clip for mounting lampsockets.

In the assembly of lighting fixtures, lamp sockets are normally securedto a supporting plate by means of screws, kbolts, rivets or similarmeans of attachment, which require not only additional parts, but alsosubstantially more time for assembly, thus adding materially to the costof manufacture.

One object of this invention resides in the provision of a new andimproved retainer clip, which in manufacture of lighting fixtures, formsa permanent and improved attachment of the lamp socket to the supportingplate of a lighting fixture.

Another object of this invention reside in the provision of new andimproved means for attaching lamp sockets to a supporting plate oflighting fixtures, which does not require the use of screws, bolts,rivets or other known means of assembly.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a lampsupport retainer clip which interlocks slidably with the supportingplate of the lamp assembly, while at the same time, the lamp support isslidably received therein and locked in place under spring tension.

Astill further object of this invention resides in the provision of asocket mount for lighting fixtures.

An additional object of the instant invention resides in the provisionof a light socket retainer clip from which the socket can be readily andquickly removed for inspection or replacement.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a lightsocket retainer clip which can be installed without the use of anyspecial tools.

The above and other cibjects and advantage will become more apparentfrom the description and drawings forming part of this application.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a light socket assembly inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on an assembly formed from the componentsshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a planview of the assembly of FIG 2 with portions of thesocket cut away.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of FIG. 3 taken along the line 44 thereof.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the assembly shown in FIG. 3 and takenalong the line 5-5 thereof.

FIG. 6 is a plan view as seen from the bottom of the assembly.

FIG. 7 is a modified version of the clip, adapted for use in connectionwith a larger light socket.

Broadly, this invention contemplates the provision of a new retainerclip which considerably simplifies methods and tools required in theassembly of light fixtures while a firm and secure connection between alight socket and a supporting plate is effected. More specifically, theinstant invention presents a novel and improved clip for the attachmentof sockets to light fixtures, wherein standard models of light socketsmay be slidably seated and locked in place in a one-step operation andwherein disengagement of the socket is just as quickly and easilyeifected. In essence, the clip provided carries tension exerting tabsand extensions which readily engage a sup- United States Patent 0 "iceporting plate of a light fixture, and which slidably receive and retaina light socket by locking it in place on the fixture.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGURES 1 through6 showing one embodiment of the invention for mounting a socket 10 to asupporting plate 11, the supporting plate 11 is provided with anelongated slot 12 and may include a pair of tabs 13 as may be observedmore clearly in FIGS. 1 and 4. The slotted opening 12 is adapted toreceive the elongated lampreceiving portion 14 of the socket 10 and theportion 14 of the socket has a cross-sectional area substantiallysmaller than the base 15 of the socket 10 so that the surface of thebase 15 immediately adjoining the side walls of the lamp receivingportion 14 of the socket will rest against the surface of the supportingplate 11.

The socket mounting clip for securing the socket 10 in the opening 12 asshown in FIG. 2 is generally denoted by the numeral 16 and comprises abase 17 of rectangular configuration and a pair of upwardly extendinglegs 18 and 19 formed integrally with and extending upwardly from theends of the base 17.

The base 17 is further provided with a cutout portion 20 with the sideedges 21 and 22 being spaced a distance greater than the correspondingedges 21 and 22' of the slot 12. The material disposed between the edges21 and 22 is folded downwardly and against the underside of the base 17to form an elongated tab 23, which with the base 17, frictionallyengages the mounting plate adjoining the edge 24 of the slot 12. Thewidth of the elongated tab 23 is preferably less than the width of theslot 12 to facilitate insertion of the tab into the slot 12 andeffecting its engagement with the underside of the support 11. Theleading edge 23' of the tab 23 is curved downwardly as viewed in FIG. 1to facilitate engagement of the tab with the edge 24 of the supportingplate 11.

The leading edge of the clip base 17 is provided with an upwardlyextending flange 25 having its upper edge 26 curved outwardly tofacilitate reception of the front wall 26 of the socket base 15. A pairof spring tabs 27 and 28 adjoin the edges of the flange 25 andfrictionally engage the front wall 26 of the socket base 15 as will beobserved more clearly in FIG. 2. The socket 10 is held in position onthe plate 11 by the upwardly extending legs 18 and 19 which are inclinedinwardly as illustrated in FIG. 1. The upper end of each leg is providedwith a pair of inwardly extending tabs 29 which engage the edges 30 and31 of the socket base 15 and hold the socket in position on the base 11as illustrated.

When the socket It is secured to the support 11 as illustrated in FIG. 2it is held firmly in position and the lamp receiving portion 14 cannotpivot about a line defined by the intersection of the plane of the backwall of the socket 10 with the plane of the supporting plate 11 as may"be observed in FIG. 4.

While the clip 16 may be formed of any desired material it is preferablyformed of a resilient material such a spring steel, Phosphor bronze orthe like. It is also possible to fabricate the clip of a relativelystiff material since the socket can be held in place by bending theouter ends of the legs 18 and 19 over the top of the socket to secure itin position. Inasmuch as the lamp receiving portion 14 of the socket 10completely fills the slot 12 when the socket is in place therein, thesocket automatically holds the clip in engagement with the mountingplate 11 and accordingly it is not essential that the elongated tab 23tightly engage the underside of the plate 11.

A similar clip construction may be utilized for other types of lampsockets such as that shown for instance in FIG. 7. In this form of theinvention the basic elements of the clip 16' are substantially identicalto the clip 16 except that the legs 18' and Wider to adequately supportthe socket. It is also evident that the socket mount in accordance withthe invention may be utilized with other types of lamp sockets 'to avoidthe need for utilizing screws or rivets for'attachbeen illustrated anddescribed, it i quite evidentthat alterations, changes, andmodificationsmay be made Without departing from the true scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is: I 1

1. Means for mounting a lamp socket in a supporting 'plate wherein saidsoclcet has an elongated lamp receiving portion and an enlarged baseon'one end of said lamp receiving portion comprising a supporting platehaving an elongated rectangular slot therein slida'bly re ceiving saidlamp receiving portion of said socket, said slot having dimensionsapproximately equivalent to the cross-sectional dimensions of said lampreceiving portion of said socket, at least one tab secured to andextending outwardly from an elongated edge of said slot, a socketengaging clip for securing said socket in position in said slot, saidclip having a base portion, an elongated tab having a length slightlyless than the length of the slot carried along one side edge of andunderlying said base portion, the base portion of said clip overlyingone surface of said supporting plate with said elongated tab overlyingthe other surface of said supporting plate with the side edge of saidbase porti'on carrying said tab being substantially coincident withanother elongated edge of said slot, a leg carried at each end of thebase portion 9' may befmade somewhat socket base to hold the socket inposition in said slot, said elongated lamp receiving portion when inposition in said slot holding said tab in engagement with saidsupporting plate, said socket base engaging means comprising a pair ofspaced outwardly extending legs biased inwardly one toward. the otherand including means engaging opposing sides of said socket base forsecuring the socket to said plate, and at least'one tab carried by saidbase and engaging another side of said socket base.

of said clip and extending outwardly therefrom, 'said I legs includingmeans engagingfthe base of said socket to hold said socket in position'on said supporting plate and at least one tab carried along the otherside edge of said base portion of said clip and extending outwardlytherefrom, the last said tab engaging a surfaceof the base portion ofsaid socket torestrict movement of said socket when secured in saidslot.

2. Means for mounting a lamp socket on a supporting plate having anelongated socket receiving slot therein and wherein said socket includesa narrow elongated lamp receiving portion extending through said slot,and an enlarged base part comprising a mounting clip having a base lyingagainst one side of said plate adjoining one elongated edge of saidslot, an'elongated U-shapedclip 1281b carried by said base, said basebeing placed in posi-. tion on said plate before installation of saidsocket with said tab extending through saidv slot and into overlyingrelationship with the other side of said plate, socket base engagingmeanscarried by said base and engaging said 3. In a lamp assembly havinga supporting plate with top and bottom surfaces and a slot therein, alamp socket retainer'clip seated on one surface of said plate and havinga portion extending through said slot and engaging the other surface ofsaid plate, at least'one tab extending from the other side edge of saidslot and normal 'to said bottom surface, at least'two pair of spacedclipcarried tabs each including socket engaging ears, said tabsextending substantially normal to the top surface of said supportingplate, and a lamp socket having a lamp receiving portion ofsubstantially the same cross-sectional shape as said slot and anenlarged base portion, said lamp receiving portion extending throughsaid slot and holding said retainer clip in engagement with said plate,and said socket base portion engaging and being securely locked in placeby said pairs of tabs.

4. A retainer clip for holding a lamp socket in engagement with asupporting plate having a rectangular .slot therein and wherein the lampsocket has an elongated lamp receiving portion and an enlarged baseportion and said elongated portion is adapted to extend through saidslot, said clip comprising an essentially U-shaped structure having abase and tension-exerting legs extending outwardly from one side of saidbase, said base having a rectangular opening therein adapted to slidablyreceive theelongated lamp receiving portion of the socket, meansextending along and carried by a longer edge of said opening, said meansbeing folded over and toward the other side of said base and adapted toreceive and retain one edge of rtheplate slot with said base lyingagainst the plate and with said opening aligned with the slot, andinwardly extending ears carried on the outer ends of said legs, wherebythe elongated portion of the socket upon insertion throughsaid' openingand through the plate slot-.will bring the base portion of the socketinto engagement with said ears to hold the base portion firmly againstsaid base of said .clip and the socket in position on'the plate. I

References Cited in the file of this patent,

"UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,769,615 Bockius et al July 1, 1930 2,436,266Richardson Feb. 17, 1948 2,664,132 Leverte Dec. 29, 1953' 2,765,397Harris root. 2, 1956 2,938,188 Laz zery May 24, 1960 Norden May 28, 1963

2. MEANS FOR MOUNTING A LAMP SOCKET ON A SUPPORTING PLATE HAVING ANELONGATED SOCKET RECEIVING SLOT THEREIN AND WHEREIN SAID SOCKET INCLUDESA NARROW ELONGATED LAMP RECEIVING PORTION EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT,AND AN ENLARGED BASE PART COMPRISING A MOUNTING CLIP HAVING A BASE LYINGAGAINST ONE SIDE OF SAID PLATE ADJOINING ONE ELONGATED EDGE OF SAIDSLOT, AN ELONGATED U-SHAPED CLIP TAB CARRIED BY SAID BASE, SAID BASEBEING PLACED IN POSITION ON SAID PLATE BEFORE INSTALLATION OF SAIDSOCKET WITH SAID TAB EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT AND INTO OVERLYINGRELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID PLATE, SOCKET BASE ENGAGINGMEANS CARRIED BY SAID BASE AND ENGAGING SAID SOCKET BASE TO HOLD THESOCKET IN POSITION IN SAID SLOT, SAID ELONGATED LAMP RECEIVING PORTIONWHEN IN POSITION IN SAID SLOT HOLDING SAID TAB IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAIDSUPPORTING PLATE, SAID SOCKET BASE ENGAGING MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OFSPACED OUTWARDLY EXTENDING LEGS BIASED INWARDLY ONE TOWARD THE OTHER ANDINCLUDING MEANS ENGAGING OPPOSING SIDES OF SAID SOCKET BASE FOR SECURINGTHE SOCKET TO SAID PLATE, AND AT LEAST ONE TAB CARRIED BY SAID BASE ANDENGAGING ANOTHER SIDE OF SOCKET BASE.